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Shred Guitar! When People Ask Why?

I get asked by friends, family, and especially girlfriends, what is your obsession with practicing shred guitar? I really started trying to think about the question, and thought I may attempt to explain what is going on during a hard core shred guitar practice session, and hopefully it will help some of my fellow shred heads out there explain it themselves.

Its not man vs. nature, its not man as predator, its more like man vs. self, or man vs. machine. When I sit down just me and my trusty Ibanez late in the evening, and Ive gotten all comfortable and cozy in my practice room, I wrap my hands around the guitar neck, crank up the faithful Line 6 amp, get the drive set just right for that nice sweet sustained distortion that gives me that classic shred guitar feel, and then it begins.

Perhaps it starts a little slow, and maybe Im feeling a little rusty, or maybe I just havent loosened up enough yet or hit my shred guitar groove, either way, I know here shortly my fingers will be flowing up and down the neck at speeds that at times even amazes myself.

Perhaps its just some short bursts Im practicing or warming up with, maybe its some slow moving arpeggios Im busting my butt to master, either way, Im after a shred guitar pinnacle, a mountain top if you will. Im after that point where I hit a certain speed, feel, or accomplishment that words can barely explain.

Its that point were a once complicated shred guitar riff is being conquered after all. Its that point were your beginning to overcome a barrier, or perhaps a few barriers to reach a level of self satisfaction. Its having mastered that riff that no one has to ever hear except for me and my guitar that personally brings me true confidence and satisfaction. Its knowing deep inside that I am rising up one more small level towards being able to sit comfortably among the shred guitar gods and know that among their company I have paid the dues to earn the seat.

Its hitting that level that brings my mind body and soul closer to my instrument establishing a bond and relationship that no one can break. Its that point where you can not be disturbed because its happening, the barriers are coming down, youre mind body and soul have taken over and began working together as one in perfect unison and harmony with the instrument.

Its that point were your fingers seem to take on motions that are all their own, and have lost the need to be guided by your mind as you watch your fingers dance at lightning speeds that almost seem disconnected from your mind and body.

I try to explain this feeling to others. There is a personal self gratification obtained from overcoming and mastering a skill that requires such a high level of dedication. To master shred guitar requires many hours of focus and personally having the capability to break and overcome many barriers. The best comparison I can come up with is perhaps a combination of a mad scientist spending years to develop a formula, and an Olympic runner training for a race all in one.

The ability to master shred guitar requires the analytical skills of a scientist to some level, and the physical development of an Olympic runner, and the dedication and focus of both put together as one.

When I sit down to put in my time, which sometimes is six or seven hours a day, it feels almost like destiny. I dont focus on obtaining rock star status, impressing friends, girlfriends, or getting a record deal, yet my soul focus is on mastering the art of shred guitar. It just feels like shred guitar is an art I must continue to pursue, grow, and maintain.

So the next time a friend, family member, or girlfriend asks you what your obsession is with mastering shred guitar, just tell them that its unexplained destiny, like a scientist spending a lifetime to find a formula, and an Olympic athlete trying to condition their body to perfection all wrapped up in one. If they scoff at you and ask, you a rock star? Just say no, me a person that continually receives an insane level of self gratification felt by a select few for having mastered such a grand art as shred guitar.

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